In today's climate, prescribing clinicians committed to transgender medicine face a relentless torrent of political, legal, and social updates—some of which directly impact access to care. Staying informed is vital—but not if it leaves you burned out or paranoid. Here’s how you can stay current without losing your center.

1. Prioritize Trusted, Digestible Sources

1. Erin in the Morning
Run by journalist Erin Reed, this Substack newsletter tracks critical developments in trans legislation and life—without unnecessary noise. With over 123,000 subscribers, her posts blend clarity, urgency, and empathy. 

2. PinkNews
A well‑established, internationally recognized platform offering timely, LGBTQ+-led reporting on health policy, legal shifts, and societal change. The coverage is both expansive and accessible for professionals and patients alike. 

These sources center trans narratives and don’t sensationalize. Add them to your reading list—or set a safe time each week to check in.

2. Set Intentional Filters, Not Urgency

• Schedule “news time,” not constant alerts.
  Instead of reactionary scrolling, choose a dedicated time—maybe twice a week—when you allow updates in.

• Employ keyword filters intelligently.
  Use “trans healthcare legislation,” “gender‑affirming care policy,” or “trans medicine update” to narrow your feed. This keeps content focused, reduces noise.

• Curate your sources.
  Beyond Erin and PinkNews, some clinician colleagues subscribe to legal trackers, professional society newsletters, or intersectional advocacy groups who share distilled briefs. Local LGBTQ+ advocacy and community organizations will help you follow regional updates.

3. Anchor Yourself in Your Community

• Peer-to-peer sharing helps.
  Consider a weekly Slack or Teams check‑in among affirming clinicians—just 5–10 minutes to share one important update.

• Lean on clinician community forums.
  Platforms like QueerCME’s community, WPATH newsletters, or LGBTQ+ clinician listservs offer shared support, collective intelligence, and a buffer against isolation.

• Practice radical consent with information.
  Give yourself permission not to engage with overwhelming headlines—especially after a long day. You’re owed mental and emotional rest.

4. Contextualize the Updates—They’re Not Just Noise

Not every political alert changes clinical practice—but some do, and some are deeply harmful if ignored.

• Political vs. legal distinction matters.
  Just because a bill is introduced doesn’t mean it’s law. Bills can stall, die, or be overturned. Your care decisions remain guided by clinical standards, not sensational headlines.

• Watch for policy in your region.
  Many states are key battlegrounds for trans care access. Use updates to inform how you document, advocate, or prepare for changing payer environments.

• When in doubt, check trusted professional guidance.
  If a headline seems alarming, look up an official society statement (e.g., AMA, Endocrine Society, WPATH) or consult your legal/compliance team before making care decisions.

5. Self‑Compassion Is Anti‑Oppression

Burnout in transgender care isn’t just personal—it’s political. Protected time, emotional processing, and peer solidarity are structural tools.

• Set boundaries.
  Mute notifications outside your chosen “news time.”

• Reflect critically.
  Many trans care threats come packaged as urgent moral panic. Ask: Is this clickbait, or is this a real disruption to patient care?

• Rest as resistance.
  Taking care of yourself sustains your capacity to show up for patients, colleagues, and yourself.

Staying informed on the politics of transgender medicine doesn’t require living in a state of hypervigilance. By choosing trusted sources like Erin in the Morning and PinkNews, setting intentional media habits, leaning into community, and grounding updates in context you can remain unwaveringly present for your patients. Radical body autonomy belongs not just to patients, but also to clinician well‑being.

Join QueerCME’s Premium tier to access curated communal spaces that support your resilience while affirming every trans life.